My advice is to avoid the poverty spec models like Reflex and Avantage with the 1.4 engines. 1.9D is far better all round.
Personally I think they're nasty little cars.....unless its a Volcane or a 16v.
The basic ones have silly little skinny wheels and brakes that creak. The 1.4 is gutless and has stupidly tall gearing.
The 16v however, is one of the nicest hatches I've ever driven. I imagine a Volcane TD would be very nice, but the valver clinches it for me. Its handling, braking and comfort were all top notch.
Citroen ZX - what's it like to own please.
Moderator: RichardW
I didnt really notice much difference in terms of fuel economy between the ZX 1.9D and the Xantia 1.9TD.
The ZX is quite quick enough if you havent driven a turbo car or at least not for a while. But its quite adequate and beefier if you have just upgraded from a ZX 1.4i 8)
The ZX is quite quick enough if you havent driven a turbo car or at least not for a while. But its quite adequate and beefier if you have just upgraded from a ZX 1.4i 8)
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S 
Best kept secret out there.
Buy a good one & it'll be boringly reliable, however if you get a dud they can be a right pain in the arse.
I'd disagree with the 1.4's tho, they are nippy enough around town & will cruise all day at a ton & not fry your brain.
I personally have found the brakes don't inspire confidence, unless its a D with ABS. Front brakes creak but can be cured with little expence.
Stay away from the early 1.4 Carb'd models tho they are the true nastys.
Volcane TDs are awsome. 16valver is the one to own.
Buy a later, face lifted model as the early ones are starting to look dated.
They don't rust! as mine, thats been sitting outside for the last 12 months will prove.
Still one of the best cornering cars money can buy, will show a clean pair of heels to much more modern machinery through the twistys, agreed the shopping trolly wheels on the lower end stuff aren't great however these can be upgraded to Volcane alloys at little cost.
Better value than a 306.
They are so good that between me & my father we have gone through 5 of them!
But remember they're cheap to buy so run it into the ground - if thats possible & throw it away. Downside if your a young lad there isn't much in the way of aftermarket 'toys' for them so some serious shopping around is needed & they won't have the same 'street cred' as a 306.
They are made of tissue paper however so expect lots of annoying egg dents.
Buy a good one & it'll be boringly reliable, however if you get a dud they can be a right pain in the arse.
I'd disagree with the 1.4's tho, they are nippy enough around town & will cruise all day at a ton & not fry your brain.
I personally have found the brakes don't inspire confidence, unless its a D with ABS. Front brakes creak but can be cured with little expence.
Stay away from the early 1.4 Carb'd models tho they are the true nastys.
Volcane TDs are awsome. 16valver is the one to own.
Buy a later, face lifted model as the early ones are starting to look dated.
They don't rust! as mine, thats been sitting outside for the last 12 months will prove.
Still one of the best cornering cars money can buy, will show a clean pair of heels to much more modern machinery through the twistys, agreed the shopping trolly wheels on the lower end stuff aren't great however these can be upgraded to Volcane alloys at little cost.
Better value than a 306.
They are so good that between me & my father we have gone through 5 of them!
But remember they're cheap to buy so run it into the ground - if thats possible & throw it away. Downside if your a young lad there isn't much in the way of aftermarket 'toys' for them so some serious shopping around is needed & they won't have the same 'street cred' as a 306.
They are made of tissue paper however so expect lots of annoying egg dents.
i love my zx!!
it was my first car when i was at school and ive still got it and am enjoying it 2 years later.
Its a 1.9TD with a few mods and it goes like stink ( not that everybody is into that sort of thing)
I would defo try and get one with discs on the back though - mine had drums to start with so i changed the rear subframe and now the brakes feel real good.
Good handling, reliability, cheapness to buy, fast and good fuel economy. the zx is without doubt the best car you can buy for such little amount of money.
Things it was competing with such as the Escort and Astra are rubbish compared to it (my mates have had both) and they often are more expensive.
and thats my highly biased opinion!
it was my first car when i was at school and ive still got it and am enjoying it 2 years later.
Its a 1.9TD with a few mods and it goes like stink ( not that everybody is into that sort of thing)
I would defo try and get one with discs on the back though - mine had drums to start with so i changed the rear subframe and now the brakes feel real good.
Good handling, reliability, cheapness to buy, fast and good fuel economy. the zx is without doubt the best car you can buy for such little amount of money.
Things it was competing with such as the Escort and Astra are rubbish compared to it (my mates have had both) and they often are more expensive.
and thats my highly biased opinion!
Zxtd Aura converted from 1.8i Petrol - Lowered, 20psi boost extra fuel - weeeeeee!
MK2 Cortina 1600e
Honda Acty Romahome - 545cc!! - (the "beast")
MK2 Cortina 1600e
Honda Acty Romahome - 545cc!! - (the "beast")
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RichardW
- Forum Treasurer
- Posts: 10893
- Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
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- My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl - x 1003
"The only question that I'm left with is should I go for a Turbo or not. "
Turboturboturboturbo
"I don't mind my slow 205D and I'd like to keep the mpg. Am I right in thinking that the mpg is the same if you keep the revs down, and hence off the turbo?"
No, and you won't be able to keep off the turbo. Trust me
"Would I be cursing not having a turbo if I got a 1.9D due to the increase in wait from a 205."
If you don't drive a TD before you drive a N/A you won't curse it. If you drive one first, you will never buy a N/A 8)
The economy of the TD is variable - it will probably do 45 driven reasonbaly gently, but it just begs to be booted out of corners in 3rd, and that hammers the economy a bit - my wife gets around 40 from hers. Drive it really hard and it will drop to mid 30s. Fun though! For some reason the 1.9TD was never as efficient as the 1.7TD. I'd concur that the disc braked models have much better brakes than the drum braked ones.
Turboturboturboturbo
"I don't mind my slow 205D and I'd like to keep the mpg. Am I right in thinking that the mpg is the same if you keep the revs down, and hence off the turbo?"
No, and you won't be able to keep off the turbo. Trust me
"Would I be cursing not having a turbo if I got a 1.9D due to the increase in wait from a 205."
If you don't drive a TD before you drive a N/A you won't curse it. If you drive one first, you will never buy a N/A 8)
The economy of the TD is variable - it will probably do 45 driven reasonbaly gently, but it just begs to be booted out of corners in 3rd, and that hammers the economy a bit - my wife gets around 40 from hers. Drive it really hard and it will drop to mid 30s. Fun though! For some reason the 1.9TD was never as efficient as the 1.7TD. I'd concur that the disc braked models have much better brakes than the drum braked ones.
Richard W
cheers jeremy,
too frightened of a BX, though had a school friend with two and I always quite liked them. That was many years ago
and there not so new now. Good to hear the fuel economy is about the same and the not turbo ZX is not sluggish.
As regards ZX my insurance has quoted the same on a ZX 1.9D SX R'97, as my 205 1.8D J'92. Very suprised no change, but ZX 1.9TD Volcane '93 is £30 extra. That's 3rd PFT 6yrs NCD.
So much more interested in a good ZX now as 205's don't really seem to give as much for the money. The 205 STDT was my main one but after actually finding one it was a bit of a disappiontment as all being L reg there not that young and though 205's don't rust as a rule, they do start to get a bit crusty underneath at that age!
Sorry, just noticed second page of replies since Jeremy,
cheers all again.
too frightened of a BX, though had a school friend with two and I always quite liked them. That was many years ago
and there not so new now. Good to hear the fuel economy is about the same and the not turbo ZX is not sluggish.As regards ZX my insurance has quoted the same on a ZX 1.9D SX R'97, as my 205 1.8D J'92. Very suprised no change, but ZX 1.9TD Volcane '93 is £30 extra. That's 3rd PFT 6yrs NCD.
So much more interested in a good ZX now as 205's don't really seem to give as much for the money. The 205 STDT was my main one but after actually finding one it was a bit of a disappiontment as all being L reg there not that young and though 205's don't rust as a rule, they do start to get a bit crusty underneath at that age!
Sorry, just noticed second page of replies since Jeremy,cheers all again.
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simoncanfer
- Posts: 64
- Joined: 21 Mar 2006, 17:45
- Location:
- My Cars:
Bear in mind all ZXs are old now - so suspension is likely to be past its best. If you budget for a suspension and associated rubbery bits overhaul you'll have a top-notch car that is fantastic value for money.
Personally I'd go for a TD, SX or Aura model, as late as possible as certain annoying design features were designed out - (like the awkward early radiator connections)
My ZXs have never let me down, and I've now done 110k in ZX TDs.
Yes, the bodywork is thin and dents, yes the 306 is better looking, and yes you really can get over 50mpg in a TD (though you need real self-restraint!)
Simon
Personally I'd go for a TD, SX or Aura model, as late as possible as certain annoying design features were designed out - (like the awkward early radiator connections)
My ZXs have never let me down, and I've now done 110k in ZX TDs.
Yes, the bodywork is thin and dents, yes the 306 is better looking, and yes you really can get over 50mpg in a TD (though you need real self-restraint!)
Simon